How to Dry Fresh Cranberries

by Chris Daniels

A three-ounce serving of dried cranberries is equivalent to 1.5 cups of fresh cranberries.

Cranberries are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants as well as phytonutrients called proanthocyanins. Anthocyanins in cranberries have been shown by medical research to have anti-inflammatory properties and may aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. Fresh cranberries aren't available year-round and many store-prepared dried cranberries or cranberry juices are high in sugar. Prepare home-made dried cranberries for a healthy treat that can be used to garnish a salad, added to trail mix or eaten on their own.

1

Purchase the freshest cranberries possible immediately before you plan to begin the process of drying. The spoilage process begins as soon as fruit is picked; food preservation will be the most effective with the freshest food.

2

Rinse cranberries well under running water. Place them in a large bowl or cooking pot.

3

Heat enough water to cover cranberries to a roiling boil in a separate pot on the stove. The purpose is to rupture the skin of the cranberries to promote dehydration, not to cook the cranberries. Approximately two quarts of water is needed to cover a 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, according to the Washington State University Extension Service.

4

Pour boiling water over cranberries and allow to sit until the skin ruptures. This process should take five to ten minutes.

5

Drain the berries and sprinkle lightly with a small amount of sugar and allow them to sit. This process is known as macerating, the fruit equivalent of marinating vegetables or meat. The sugar draws water out of the fruit and aids preservation. Only one-quarter cup of sugar is needed for a 12-ounce package of fresh cranberries.

6

Spread cranberries evenly on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate at approximately 140 F, the optimal temperature for drying fruit. Rotate the dehydrator tray to encourage even drying. The drying process may take 12 to 24 hours, depending on your dehydrator, atmospheric humidity and the water content of the cranberries. The finished product will be chewy or leathery and should be dry to the touch.

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Things You Will Need

Fresh cranberries

Cooking pots

Sugar

Dehydrator

Strainer

Tip

Cranberries may be dried in an oven on low heat with the door open, although the process will be much more variable than utilizing a dehydrator.

About the Author

Chris Daniels covers advances in nutrition and fitness online. Daniels has numerous certifications and degrees covering human health, nutritional requirements and sports performance. An avid cyclist, weightlifter and swimmer, Daniels has experienced the journey of fitness in the role of both an athlete and coach.

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